Best Free-to-Play Games for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch

Have you got yourself a new Xbox One, PS4, or Nintendo Switch and are looking for something new to play without breaking the bank? Well good news, here are a handful of the best free-to-play games to play on all of the latest generation consoles.

All consoles are awash with free-to-play titles, some of them are pretty decent, others… not so much. So here’s a list of some of the best free-to-play titles.

Fortnite Battle Royale

How could we start a free-to-play list without beginning with one of the biggest free-to-play games of the past two years? That’s right, Fortnite has taken the gaming world by storm and just won’t stop. But that’s probably because Epic Games are doing some pretty interesting things with that game.

It’s just a shame they’re focusing a lot less on the Save the World campaign… eh?

For those who don’t know. Fortnite Battle Royale has players playing solo, in a pair, or in a squad of four to become the last surviving players out of 100. The game offers a combination of looting, shooting and building.

Fortnite is available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

Warframe

Digital Extremes’ Warframe has been a staple free-to-play title since its launch on PC back in 2013. Since then, the game has made its way to console bringing the co-op hack and slash / shooter action the living room.

Rather than PvP, Warframe has players take control of powerful Warframe called Tenno as they battle it out against a group of powerful human and machine clones called Grineer. Warframe offers a mix of third-person shooting and melee action.

Warframe is available on Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

Paladins

Paladins is a free-to-play hero shooter from HiRez Studios and let’s be honest, it’s just a free-to-play Overwatch clone. That being said, it’s not necessarily a bad clone and what’s more… it’s free.

In Paladins players pick from a huge roster of characters and take part in a handful of game modes, some of which are objective-based, others are your typical PvP death matches.

What makes Paladins a little different from Overwatch is its deck building mechanic which allows players to tweak each hero to their specific play style. Perfect if you’re drawn to one particular character.

Paladins is available on Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

Neverwinter

While most free-to-play games I’ve suggested so far are mostly shooters, here’s one for those who like to escape on adventures rather than shooting their enemy to pieces.

Based on the pen and paper game Dungeons and Dragons, Neverwinter throws players into the world of the Forgotten Realms city of Neverwinter – obviously – following events that leave the world in dire straits. It also features actual D&D campaigns which may be enticing to fans of the RPG.

This free-to-play MMO is a pretty decent time sink, especially if you’re a fan of premium subscription-based MMOs like World of Warcraft. Neverwinter also does a good job of bringing keyboard-heavy controls to console too.

Neverwinter is available on Xbox One and PS4.

Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter is more of a casual game compared to the above in that it doesn’t require too much attention and can be played on and off without missing out on too much.

That being said, Fallout Shelter can become pretty addictive and as players expand their shelters more and more, the management of the entire thing can become a little full-on to say the least.

This is definitely one for playing in between games, but it definitely shouldn’t be brushed aside.

Fallout Shelter is available on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

H1Z1 Battle Royale

H1Z1 has been in development for a pretty long time and has recently found itself in Open Beta on PS4.

Much like Fortnite, in H1Z1 Battle Royale players are challenged with being left last alive out of a number of other players who are also fighting for survival.

The only difference between the two is that H1Z1 is slightly grittier than Fortnite’s bright colour palette and it doesn’t have any building mechanics.

H1Z1 Battle Royale is currently available on PS4.

Pokémon Quest

Labelled as “free to start” on the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Quest is a weird little game which has players navigate a cube-based world in search of cube Pokémon.

This Action-Adventure game has players exploring Tumblecube Island in search of Pokémon to add to their team to find loot which can be used to entice more Pokémon into their team.

Players are also able to decorate their Base Camp with all sort of Pokémon-themed cosmetics for a real personal touch. What’s more, this personalization may also benefit players’ expeditions.

Pokémon Quest is available on the Nintendo Switch.

Fable Fortune

While there’s no chance of us getting a new Fable game any time soon, fans of the series can at least find some Fable enjoyment in Fable Fortune… a collectable card game of all things.

Fable Fortune blends gameplay from other free-to-play CCGs with a unique game piece mechanic. Rather than battling with cards, cards spawn game pieces into the play area to add a level of dynamic to the game.

The game also features a “revolutionary” co-op mode which allows players come together to take on the game’s campaign, and for those looking for something a bit more competitive, the game also features PvP leagues.

Fable Fortune is available on Xbox One.

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So there you have it, a hefty list of free-to-play games that’ll surely help you whittle away an evening or more without spending a single penny. Though each game does feature some sort of in-game microtransaction for cosmetics or weapons.